Miss Shiren in her youthful form? If Mei Yige had to describe her, she was neither as aloof yet easily flustered as her landlady, nor as brash yet tsundere as Miss Youqian.

She radiated pure warmth—a girl-next-door vibe with a wife-like gentleness.

*Good heavens, Sister Shi. Did you spend all those years solely mastering the art of performance?*

*Well, as long as you’re happy. You enjoy acting? I’ll play along.*

With this cheerful mindset, Mei Yige spent the entire afternoon chatting pleasantly with Xiao Shi, who’d reconnected her Bluetooth.

Honestly, if not for the subtle oddities she’d noticed about Sami, Mei Yige would never have linked her to her beloved landlady.

But that was all afternoon business.

Staying happy constantly was a luxury—nearly impossible. Like how you’d eventually choke on water no matter how carefully you drank, life’s little miseries always found their way in.

Golden light coalesced around the magic wand in her hand, instantly forming a sacred blade. Its blinding radiance blazed against the dusk like a second sun rising.

Leya, who’d just tearfully hugged Carlicart in gratitude after learning the Magic Consultant was the Void Witch she’d suspected, froze. The light-sword held zero magical aura—but brimmed with killing intent. Her defensive barrier flared instinctively.

Before the barrier even touched the blade, Carlicart yanked Leya aside and bolted.

“Hey! Do we *have* to start with lethal moves on sight?!” Carlicart screeched, sprinting while clutching Leya.

And so, at dusk in River Opening Town, this scene unfolded—

The Association’s Magic Consultant chased the Association President, who was carrying the Association’s magic intern, sword raised high.

“Aha…”

Shiren—having cleaned her home, then spent the afternoon chatting as Sami—stared at the chaos. Words failed her.

She’d been a pillar of Tata Town for decades.

If the Association had sunk to *this*… the town’s future looked bleak indeed.

The chase didn’t last long. Old friends always exchanged a few slashes before settling down to talk.

At a restaurant, the group finally sat to chat properly.

“Let’s introduce ourselves. I’m Mei Yige. Carlicart hired me as Magic Consultant. And you?”

“Leya! Leya Oprah! Carlicart said I’d assist you. Please take care of me!”

“?”

Mei Yige shot a puzzled glance at Carlicart, who was shoveling meat into her mouth with zero manners. The dragon finally swallowed, gulped down wine, and explained:

“My intern from the Guild. Remember? I promised you an assistant. Oh, and you’re paying for this meal—I’m broke… Ow! Why’d you pinch my arm?!”

“Show respect to Sister Mei.”

Leya’s bright smile vanished the moment she faced Carlicart. Her gaze turned icy.

“She works *for* me, not the other way around!”

That did it. Carlicart, who’d never endured such disrespect, snapped.

“I don’t care! Disrespect her, and I’ll make your life miserable, dumb lobster.”

“I’m a *red dragon*, not a lobster! Gah!”

As the two brawled again, Mei Yige fell silent. Beside her, “Miss Sami”—clearly Shiren in character—nearly cracked her gentle, composed persona watching their antics.

“Is she really our President, Sister Mei?” Shiren turned, unable to resist teasing as she caught Mei Yige’s gaze.

*Are all young people like this nowadays?*

*Though… hearing her call my food ‘Sister’ is seriously grating.*

Mei Yige, who’d only felt weary moments ago, froze.

*Did Shiren just call me… ‘Sister’?*

“Probably… yes,” Mei Yige forced out, swallowing hard. She crushed the sudden flutter of excitement in her chest, keeping her expression neutral. “Though I hate to admit it.”

“Mei Yige, you… you! How heartless! Waaahhh! You’ve shattered my dignity completely!” Carlicart wailed mid-scuffle, choosing tears over fury.

*She’s just a 500-year-old dragon—barely an adult by dragon standards. How dare they bully her like this?!*

“And here I thought you *had* dignity,” Leya deadpanned.

That remark shattered Carlicart’s last restraint. Fueled by alcohol, the once-proud Red Dragon President of Tata Town fled the restaurant.

The Vice President, quietly eating until now, abandoned her meal and chased after her.

Only Mei Yige, Shiren, and Leya remained at the table.

“Um…”

“You don’t need to stage this act for me. A humble Magic Consultant like me can’t handle the theatrics.”

Mei Yige cut off Leya’s attempt at small talk, her tone sharp. Leya stiffened.

*She saw through it? Carlicart’s plan failed miserably…*

Before dismounting the carriage, Carlicart had hinted the Consultant was extraordinary—and asked how to build rapport fast.

*Stage a scene. Create a private space to talk.*

But being exposed backfired spectacularly.

*Never trust a dragon’s schemes.*

Regret was useless now. Yet the exposure confirmed Mei Yige’s identity as the Void Witch. Up close, she matched the photo Leya carried almost perfectly—though only after Leya strained her magic to pierce through interference.

“Shall I step out for a while?”

Ever the actress, Shiren stayed in character, her voice soft.

“It’s getting late, Miss Sami. Let’s chat another time.”

Sensing Leya’s unease, Mei Yige smoothly gave her landlady an exit.

Once alone with Leya, Mei Yige’s eyes narrowed. Her voice turned glacial.

“You were spying on me that night.”

Her mastery over presence left no doubt. Especially when Leya hadn’t hidden her aura—in fact, she’d flaunted it. Every clue pointed to her as the watcher.

“You noticed me after all… Void Witch.” Leya bowed her head, finally certain. Relief washed over her.

“State your purpose.”

Mei Yige skipped pleasantries. She doubted this girl meant harm—her exposed identity was unexpected, but unlikely tied to her magic use in town. Leya simply had ways to uncover it.

Caution was wise.

Besides, since meeting her, Mei Yige felt uneasy. A nagging dissonance whispered: *This girl is off.*

*She feels so familiar… but that’s impossible…*

She never expected what came next from this seemingly serious girl.

“My purpose? Hehehe…” Leya’s eyes sparkled. “What else, Witch-sama? I’m your biggest fan!”